The trade of Adam Jones clears the path for Wladimir Balentien to Seattle.

Outfield

Jay Bruce, Cincinnati Reds – Jay Bruce is not just the best outfield prospect in the game – he is the best prospect in the game, period. The 20-year-old Bruce started off in the Florida State League, and he would hit .325 there with 11 home runs, 49 RBI, and 49 runs in 268 at-bats. Promoted to the Southern League, Bruce continued to rake, hitting .333 with 4 home runs, 15 RBI, and 10 runs in 66 at-bats. As a result, they promoted him once again and he would finish in Triple-A, where he hit .305 with 11 home runs, 25 RBI, and 28 runs scored in 187 at-bats. Bruce has one more stop to go – the majors – and he should be there in 2008; if not to open the year in the majors, then soon.

Cameron Maybin, Florida Marlins – The prize from the Miguel Cabrera trade, Maybin showed he was not quite ready for the big leagues in his stint with the Tigers in 2007, but he is not far off. While in Double-A in 2007, this five-tool stud hit .304 with 10 home runs, 44 RBI, 58 runs, 14 doubles, and 25 stolen bases in 296 at-bats. His struggles in the AFL, albeit in a short stint, do not indicate major league readiness, and a return to Triple-A might be best for him. He will be ready soon, and he has the tools to be spectacular.

Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox – While he will never hit again as well as he did in his short time in the majors in 2007, Ellsbury is always going to hit for a significantly high batting average, along with an even better on-base percentage, as he has spectacular plate discipline. That discipline will lead to plenty of opportunities for Ellsbury to both score runs and swipe bases. Do not expect any power, as Ellsbury is from the Juan Pierre school of power hitting, but he will be a very solid fantasy contributor in 2008.

Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates – Somehow, McCutchen followed up disappointing numbers in Double-A with spectacular numbers in Triple-A. Go figure. Granted, the Triple-A stint was short, but it does give hope that he is finally living up to his tools. His AFL stint was also positive, so the now-21-year-old McCutchen looks like he is on track to be in the majors at some point in 2008.

Colby Rasmus, St. Louis Cardinals – Selected by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 draft, this former high school stud hit .275 with 29 home runs, 72 RBI, 93 RBI, and 18 stolen bases. The Cardinals might not want to rush Rasmus, but their lack of movement this offseason and his obvious skills might force the issue. He might not open the season with the club, but if he does not he will be up soon enough.

Wladimir Balentien, Seattle Mariners – The power was real for Balentien in 2006, but not much else in his game was, so there were concerns heading in to the 2007 season. His numbers in Triple-A, however, erased those, as he hit .291 with 24 home runs, 84 RBI, 77 runs, and 15 stolen bases in 477 at-bats. With the departure of Adam Jones to the Orioles, Balentien is the best young outfielder in the system. Look for him to return to Triple-A to open the season, as there currently is no room for him in the majors, but that situation will not last, and he will be up soon enough.